Scrap Expo: Enhancing scrap yard operations begins with preventive maintenance

Scrap yard operators sometimes delay maintenance in the short-term or don’t fully understand what needs to be done to particular equipment, and according to Constantino Lannes, president of Sennebogen, a Germany-based material handling equipment maker, that type of approach can be costly down the road.

Lannes spoke at Scrap Expo in Louisville, Kentucky, during the Optimizing Scrap and Dismantler Yard Operations session Sept. 14 and advised those in attendance to take advantage of consulting services when it comes to preserving equipment life.

The overall goal of scrap yard consulting services is:

• to increase production and/or productivity;
• improve product quality;
• reduce operating cost;
• reduce downtime; and
• address if there is a way to help improve the overall operation.

Sennebogen offers its own free scrap yard consulting service, and Lannes said services like the one his company offers provide an in-depth look at an operation to determine where improvements can be made.

Consultations can provide:

• Drone footage and layout of a yard to see how all material comes in and goes out, as well as how it’s processed.
• Analysis of traffic flow of incoming material and wait times for customers.
• Analysis of the placement and production of prepared and unprepared materials.
• Review of shredder performance, processing equipment performance and material handling equipment specification, number and placement.
• Options to eliminate diesel-driven equipment where.
• Safety insights and suggestions on infrared detection, fire suppression and monitoring.

Lannes said benefits of consulting services include cost and risk reduction, implementation of best maintenance practices and operational productivity and efficiency enhancements, to name a few, and stressed the importance of staying on top of preventive maintenance as a way to maintain efficient operations.

“Every dollar that you save in preventive maintenance will [end up costing] you $15,000 to $20,000 in repairs later,” Lannes said.